ZAMBOANGA CITY - Troops have overrun the lair of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) in the hinterlands of Lanao del Sur, a top military official announced Wednesday. Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the camp fell into the hands of the government troops following hours of firefight against 60 DI-MG terrorists Tuesday that ended around 4 p.m. An airstrike conducted by combat aircraft around 2 a.m. preceded the firefight that broke out around 7:50 a.m. The DI-MG is headed by Faharudin Hadji Satar who carries the aliases of Zacaria, Abu Zacariah, Omar, and Jer Mimbantas, the new emir of ISIS in Southeast Asia, according to Cuerpo. Zacaria has replaced Owayda Benito Marohombsar alias Abu Dar, who was killed together with three other DI-MG terrorists in a clash with government troops in March 2019. "We overran their camp yesterday," Cuerpo said Wednesday over DWDD AFP Radio. He said the tr
NEW LIFE AHEAD. Two communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels, hoping to be reunited with their families, peacefully surrender to the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday (Feb. 8, 2022). More than 30 NPAs have so far surrendered to the Army's 6th Infantry Division area of operation since January 1 this year. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Two more communist rebels have voluntarily surrendered to military forces in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, boosting the military's pronouncement that the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the province is on the decline. Lt. Col. Allen Van Estrera, the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion (IB) chief, said Tuesday the two rebels, both belonging to the Dragon Fruit Platoon, NPA East Daguma Front, Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region, have turned in a 12-gauge shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver. "They are very much welcome to return to the fold of the law," he sa
NEW RECRUITS. About 456 recruits take oath on Tuesday (Dec. 21, 2021), marking the start of their six-month training at the 11th Division Training School in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu. After the training, they will be deployed to the different battalions of the 11th Infantry Division, which is tasked to fight the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu. (Photo courtesy of the 11th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office) ZAMBOANGA CITY - About 456 recruits have begun their basic military training to join the 11th Infantry Division (ID), the youngest unit of the Philippine Army, tasked to fight the remaining Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in the province of Sulu. The recruits belong to the Candidate Soldiers Classes 680, 681, and 682-2021 and took their oath Tuesday, marking the start of their six-month training at the 11th Division Training School (11DTS) in Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, 11DTS commandant, said Thursday the cand
SURRENDER. One of the 14 surrendering BIFF gunmen hands over his rifle to Brig. Gen. Eduardo Gubat (center), 603rd Infantry Brigade commander, during surrender rites held at the 57th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Upi, Maguindanao on Sunday (Dec. 5, 2021). The surrenderers also turned over (inset upper left) 12 high-powered firearms and five explosives. (Photo courtesy of 603rd IBde) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Displeased with their life as rebels, 14 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yielded to authorities in Upi town of this province bringing with them high-powered firearms and explosives, a top military official here said Monday. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, said the 14 BIFF gunmen voluntarily surrendered Sunday afternoon to the Army-led Joint Task Force Central (JFTC) units in Upi. Lt. Col. Jonathan Pondanera, 57th Infantry Battalion commander based in Upi, presented the surrenderers to 603rd Infantry Brigad
SURRENDER. Kalamansig Mayor Rolando Garcia (in blue shirt) receives a rifle from one of the six New People's Army rebels who voluntarily surrendered with their firearms during ceremonies held at the municipal government center of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Sunday (Oct. 17, 20231). Looking on are military commanders Lt. Col Allen Van L Estrera of the 37th Infantry Battalion (2nd from right) and Colonel Eduardo B. Gubat (right), the 603rd Brigade commander. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - The military's two-pronged approach in dealing with communist combatants in the mountains of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat has turned out to be effective, an Army officer here said Monday. "The two-pronged approach is a continuous military pressure against rebels, and at the same time highlighting the government's offer for them to rejoin the mainstream society peacefully," Lt. Col Allen Van L. Estrera, Army's 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB) commander, told r